Step by Step

Step by Step
A sightseeing tour of Schwandorf
Step by Step
A sightseeing tour of Schwandorf
Grüß Gott – dear visitor to Schwandorf.
Welcome to the Municipal District town of Schwandorf –
It’s great to have you here.
“Step by step” – is the motto of this guide.
Its aim is to provide you with information on how to discover
sights and places of interest. You will be surprised how many
appealing places and things there are to explore. Wherever you
start your tour of Schwandorf, you will immediately be immersed
in the history of our town.
Schwandorf offers a variety of ways to spend your time in an
entertaining, diversified and culturally challenging manner.
We wish you a lot of pleasure and hope you have an exciting
time making fascinating discoveries and finding time to relax,
enjoy and recover. Our offer for visitors is completed by a range
of guided tours with different fascinating topics.
Any questions? We are looking forward to your visit!
We can also supply you with further information, documents,
maps, souvenirs, etc ... Please find our office hours and phone
number on the back of this leaflet.
We wish you a stimulating walk, “step by step” –
through our beautiful town.
“Grüß Gott” – and have fun!
Your tourist office team in Schwandorf
www.schwandorf.de
Town hall
Parish community centre
Tourist Info
Car park, park and ride
Church, Chapel
Parking deck/garage
School, instit. of higher educ.
Caravan site
Kindergarten
Post office
Playground
Firestation
Panorama point
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3
Spitalgarten
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Stadtpark
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4
5
10
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14
15
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© Published by courtesy of Verwaltungs-Verlag Mering –
www.stadtplan.net – Lizenz-Nr. 13-4-17
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1
Historic Pfleghof
This is one of the oldest
buildings in Schwandorf.
In 1504 the building was allegedly destroyed in a fire and was
reconstructed in 1584.
Magistrates who represented
the Landesherren (territorial lords)
resided in the building. They
were also judges and thus had
the power to impose taxes and
customs duties.
In 1857 the building was sold
to the town and from then on
it was used as the teacher’s house
as well as the school building.
From 1921 to 2003 the building
housed the town hall.
2
Town Hall
The new town hall was finished
in 2003 and the staff of the town
council moved into the building.
The east and west wings of a
former residential home for the
In 2003 the last remaining
members of the town council
moved to the newly built town
hall in Fronberger Straße.
After a complex restoration with
a modern glass construction the
historic Pfleghof now houses the
tourist information office and the
Volkshochschule (adult education
centre).
The artist Thomas Rauh designed
an illuminated dance floor in the
outdoor area next to the Pfleghof,
and on a metal plate you will
find the lyrics of the Bavarian
National Anthem.
elderly have been restored and a
connecting wing has been added.
The new Town hall reflects
a modern administration in a
contemporary building.
3
Spital church
This church was part of the
Bürgerspital which was founded
in the early 15th century and
was meant to provide social
welfare and care.
4
Market Square
The beautiful market square with
its triangular form is the heart of
the town. It is surrounded by
lovely old town houses with
spectacular gables and so called
“curiosity windows”.
5
Chimes
If you are lucky enough you will
witness something really special.
Every day at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
you will be able to listen to the
chimes that play the Bavarian
National Anthem.
It was also a hospice for pilgrims
and travellers.
During the reconstruction of the
town hall the church was secularized and restored in 2001. The
heritage building now provides a
stunning venue for local events.
There are seats which offer a
stunning view of the old parish
church St. Jakob. At the lower end
of the market square there used to
be the old 15th century town hall
which housed the administration,
a granary and shops.
It was composed in 1860 by
Konrad Max Kunz who is the
town’s most famous citizen.
Peter Mayer, a local sculptor,
manufactured the chimes
in 1990.
6
Monk’s Fountain
In the course of the restoration
of the old town traffic was banned
from the upper part of the market
square in the 80s.
Its new centre is now the Monk’s
Fountain. The Black Monk comme-
7
Guesthouse Post
This is one of five buildings that
survived the great fire during the
Landshut War of Succession in
1504. It has been restored many
times but its core as well as the
spiral gothic gable is still well
8
Stettner Square
This is the very spot where the
town was born. Here the river Naab
divides into three creeks and could
easily be crossed by means of a
ford. This made early settlement
possible. Schwandorf was first
mentioned in St. Emeram’s book of
morates the Röls brothers who
were high-ranking clergymen.
The fountain is surrounded by
seats where you can have a rest.
The fountain was donated by
Ludwig Kuttner who was born
in Schwandorf.
preserved. Its name derives from its
original purpose – a stagecoach inn.
J.W. von Goethe is said to have
changed horses at this inn on his
Italian Journey. The artist Carl
Spitzweg stayed here overnight.
donation as Suianicondorf in 1006.
There is a long tradition of milling
in Schwandorf. The last working
mill, the Stettnermühle, was closed
down in 1970. Until 2012 the Volkshochschule (adult education centre)
was accommodated in the Stettnerhaus which is named after the mill.
9
Water wheels
Opposite the Stettner Square
ancient water wheels in the river
Naab, are reminiscent of the
town’s former milling tradition.
A wooden pedestrian bridge
leads right into the municipal
park, Schwandorf’s green lung
with its beer garden and
children’s playground.
10
Municipal Museum
On our walk around the town
we now reach Rathausstraße
where we find one of the oldest
cultural features in town, the
Stadtmuseum, which opened
in 1963. The collection dates
back to 1912.
Today the water wheels still
generate electricity for the
illumination of the park.
From 1834 to 1845 the building
housed the first pharmacy. After
that it was the home of the town
hall from 1862 to 1922.
11
Adolph-Kolping-Square
Nicely designed and decorated
with a maypole, this square is
named after the founder of the
“Kolpingwerk”, which operates
throughout the world.
The monument in honour of
Adolph Kolping was sponsored
by the local “Kolping family”.
12
Stadtmauergasse
In this lane we can still see
part of the city wall which was
errected in the 15th century to
protect the citizens.
With an original length of 1.3 km
and a height of 10 to 12 m it was
financed by means of taxes on
beer, wine and mead.
The equestrian memorial
sculpture has connections
with the boot which is part
of Schwandorf’s coat of arms.
This monument was made by
the late Peter Mayer.
House number 4 is Schwandorf’s
smallest house with a living area
2
of only 30 m .
After 1945 it was home to
two families with children.
After restoration and extension
in 2006 by private owners the
living area now spans 3 floors.
13
Bahnhofstraße 15
At the end of Stadtmauergasse
we arrive at this building which
is now the property of the town.
The southern part of the former
town wall once had six towers,
one of which is still existent in
the rear part of the house.
In the course of the restoration
of the building in 2002/2003 the
tower was completely renovated
and Stadtmauergasse was linked
to Bahnhofstraße.
Next to the house there is a
former public well which was
integrated into the modern
water supply system in 1909.
14
Färberhaus
At the crossing of Breite Straße/
Feuerhausgasse a sculpture of
a group of pigs, the so-called
“Schweinchen-Denkmal”
commemorates the former
well-known cattle markets. This
is why the street was commonly
known as “Saugasse”, sow lane.
One of Schwandorf`s oldest
houses is the “Färberhaus”,
a craftman’s house.
Built in 1559 this building was
occupied by a dyer (Färber).
An imminent collapse of the
building in 1995 was prevented by
a private investor who renovated
the building brilliantly taking into
conideration the half-timber work
on the upper floor as well as the
various vaults downstairs.
Now the building houses
a restaurant with a nice
outdoor area.
15
Smithy
In this craftman’s house horses
were shod.
The blacksmith’s workshop
was probably in the middle of
the house where there used to
be a fireplace.
The wooden ceiling between
the ground floor and the first
floor dates back to 1573.
Anna Barbara Metz, wife of
the keeper of the tower and
mother of Konrad Max Kunz,
who composed the Bavarian
Anthem, was born here on
October 20th, 1770. She was
the blacksmith’s daughter.
The blacksmith’s workshop
was closed in 1965.
Following restoration in 2002
the Hufschmiede now houses
a restaurant with an attractive
outdoor area.
16
Historic caves
Your walk along Breite Straße
and Friedrich-Ebert-Straße takes
you to the “Weinberg” (a former
vineyard). There you will find the
entrances to the Historic Caves.
They can be visited either
individually at certain times
or in groups at any time by
appointment (accompanied
by an official guide).
While walking down the stairs
that lead to the 130 stone caves
we learn about their history as
beer cellars and warehouses for
beer as well as their life-saving
role as air-raid shelters in the last
days of the Second World War.
This labyrinth of 60 caves was
renovated some years ago and
has been a unique tourist
attraction ever since.
17
Blasturm
This tower was built at the
highest point of the town.
Its name refers to the job
of the keeper or watchman.
It was his job to send signals
and signs, e. g. when stagecoaches were approaching,
he also warned about fires or
approaching enemies.
A keeper also functioned as a
musician for parochial as well
as for private clients and was
very much in demand.
Schwandorf’s best-known
citizen Konrad Max Kunz was
born here on April 29th, 1812
as son of the keeper.
In 1860 he composed his song
“for Bavaria” which has been the
Bavarian Anthem since June 29th,
1966. Konrad Max Kunz died in
Munich on August 3rd, 1875 and
he was buried in a honorary grave
in Schwandorf in 1975.
In 1960 the famous Romantic
painter Carl Spitzweg visited
Schwandorf and sketched the
Blasturm. Later in 1970 he
painted the “Schwandorfer
Stadtturm in the Moonlight”
in oil.
The original painting is now
in the Georg-Schäfer-Museum
in Schweinfurt.
Since its EU-funded renovation
in 2006 the tower accommodates
a museum and provides yet
another tourist attraction.
Guided tours can be arranged,
otherwise see opening hours.
Bayernhymne
Gott mit dir, du Land der Bayern,
deutsche Erde, Vaterland!
Über deinen weiten Gauen
ruhe seine Segenshand.
Er behüte deine Fluren,
schirme deiner Städte Bau
und erhalte dir die Farben
deines Himmels, weiß und blau!
Gott mit dir, dem Bayernvolke,
dass wir, unsrer Väter wert,
fest in Eintracht und in Frieden
bauen unsres Glückes Herd!
Dass mit Deutschlands
Bruderstämmen einig uns ein
jeder schau und den
alten Ruhm bewähre unser
Banner weiß und blau!
18
Historic presbytery
Built in 1491 on the Gothic
walls of an earlier building,
the presbytery was singlestorey with a three-storey
stepped gable.
In a second building phase
in 1569 it was enlarged, a
smoke room was added.
The attic on the south side
was developed into a complete
storey in 1670.
19
St. James Parish Church
Built around 1400 in late
Gothic style the church was
first extended in 1470 when
three baywere added. Two
more bays followed between
1866 and 1873.
The Italian builder Pietro Spineta
designed the barrel vault which
was added in 1678.
The neo-Gothic winged altar
depicts the recruitment of
St. James and his execution.
From 1989 to 1991 the listed
building was renovated and
has accommodated the parish
community centre ever since.
The former stables have been
integrated into the Kindergarten.
All the other agricultural building
were dismantled in 1962.
Schwandorf is situated on one
of the pilgrim trails of the Route
of St. James to Santiago de
Compostela.
A statue of St. James, characterized by the scallop shell, and the
pilgrim’s clothes and staff is on
display outside the church tower.
This 49m high tower a landmark
of the town.
We offer and arrange
• Guided tours of the town –
also for groups
• Thematic guided tours,
including culinary delights
• Guided tours for children
• Guided Tours of the Blasturm
(The Blasturm is also open to the
general public on certain days)
• Guided tours of the churches
• Nature walks in the area of the
Charlottenhofer lakes
• Guided tours of the cave labyrith
In addition
• Municipal museum with ist permanent
collection and special exhibitions
• The Oberpfälzer Künstlerhaus (with
varied programme and accommodation
for artists from all over the world)
• Family-friendly outdoor adventure
pool with giant water slide
• Indoor swimming pool
• Rowing boat hire on the river Naab
• Family-friendly cycling paths and
walking trails
• A caravan site/park with facilities
in Krondorf by the river Naab
Amberg
B85
Motorway exit
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Motorway exit
Schwandorf/Wackersdorf
Multi-storey carparks
• Naabparkhaus
Adolph-Kolping-Platz 4
• Parkhaus am Rathaus
Böhmische Torgasse 2
• Parkhaus der Sparkasse
Bahnhofstraße
Published by: Tourist Info Schwandorf, Photographs: G. Götz, D. Zwick., H. Bürger, de-AGENTUR
Tourist Info Schwandorf
Kirchengasse 1
92421 Schwandorf
Phone: +49 9431 45-550
Fax:
+49 9431 45-551
tourismus@schwandorf.de
www.schwandorf.de
Opening times
Monday to Friday:
09.00 - 18.00 h
Saturday:
09.00 - 13.00 h
Subject to changes.
www.schwandorf.de